Hello everyone
First, I promise never to make a weather prediction again and secondly I hope every one had a good weekend and the chance to get out on their bikes.
Sunday was one of those days where the prospect of ironing looked good but
you knew how much better you would feel if you got out. 7 of us set out on the club run over towards Beverly. Bernard had planned a route with the promise of a good cafe at Riplingham. Heading out in to the wind we had sunshine,rain, snow flurries and hail.
All of which reminded me of a line, in a pretty poor film, but I like to watch just to hear Launcelot ask the herione
"rain sleet and snow at the same time. Why would anyone want to live here?"
The cafe is the Millers Tea Room and Farm Shop. It's not that easy to find but was well worth the stop. Warm, friendly service, large pots of tea, great bacon sarnie and the prices were very reasonable. One worth adding to the club list.
In the end though we had to leave and because of the weather we came back a fairly direct way.
Helen
Weekend Round up (31st jan/1st feb)
Moderator: Moderators
Don't worry about the wrong weather prediction, Helen, many people make a living out of it!
It's hard to imagine today, however, Cath & I were fortunate to enjoy a fantastic Cockayne-ride on Saturday. The weather could not have been clearer, allowing superb views across Bransdale and Cockayne, which are typical of classic North York Moors scenery.
We set off in good time and took the model route of Castle Howard, Coneysthorpe, Amotherby, Hutton le Hole, Surprise View, Cockayne, Helmsley, Ampleforth, Yearsley, Farlington, to finish in daylight with 84 miles clocked.
No wheels to follow, at times it was fairly windy, but compared to today & this week’s forecast, I’ll count our blessings. Aimed for a short café stop in Helmsley, but slowish service, a warm café and hot tea can always detract (in a good way) from a hurried agenda!
We spotted the Rudland Rigg track en route and I commented to Cath that on a dry day this summer, I’ll take us over there on road bikes and loop round. It’s about 20 years (I know, I don’t look that old!!!) since Robert, as the then University Cycling Club Captain, took a group of us on road bikes over there and was the start of mine and others ‘slippery slope’ conversion from ‘runners’ to ‘cyclists’!
See you Saturday, hopefully without the snow chains,
ClaireG
It's hard to imagine today, however, Cath & I were fortunate to enjoy a fantastic Cockayne-ride on Saturday. The weather could not have been clearer, allowing superb views across Bransdale and Cockayne, which are typical of classic North York Moors scenery.
We set off in good time and took the model route of Castle Howard, Coneysthorpe, Amotherby, Hutton le Hole, Surprise View, Cockayne, Helmsley, Ampleforth, Yearsley, Farlington, to finish in daylight with 84 miles clocked.
No wheels to follow, at times it was fairly windy, but compared to today & this week’s forecast, I’ll count our blessings. Aimed for a short café stop in Helmsley, but slowish service, a warm café and hot tea can always detract (in a good way) from a hurried agenda!
We spotted the Rudland Rigg track en route and I commented to Cath that on a dry day this summer, I’ll take us over there on road bikes and loop round. It’s about 20 years (I know, I don’t look that old!!!) since Robert, as the then University Cycling Club Captain, took a group of us on road bikes over there and was the start of mine and others ‘slippery slope’ conversion from ‘runners’ to ‘cyclists’!
See you Saturday, hopefully without the snow chains,
ClaireG
Hordes thronged the square on Saturday am. The 'H' ride left with 14(!!) riders - including 2 'guests' from Lincoln VC - see post by Chris Hurd.
With Paul M on the front we swiftly proceeded through Haxby, Sheriff Hutton, Terrington Bank, Hovingham, Nunnington to Welburn. Here Paul turned round on his training loop, sparking hopes in the hearts of us mere mortals that we could enjoy a moderation in pace. Such hopes were soon dashed as the Lincoln contingent, Chris C and Howard took up the challenge. Fadmoor, Gillamore, Hutton-le Hole, Lastingham, Cropton were dispatched in short measure before a final loop around to arrive in Pickering - our cafe stop destination. By now we were down to 11 - Dave B having performed his familiar cameo appearance and Alex deciding that discretion was the wiser option - sensible chap! At the cafe 3 or 4 of the group set to repairing p*******s as the flint-strewn roads took their toll on our tyres.
The trouble with sitting in the warm and getting the chat going is that time speeds by. Our 2 guests had to return to York so having consumed nothing more fortifying than a cup of tea each they set off whilst the remainder of us stuffed ourselves and contemplated the route back (doubtless they will have tales of how the once-mighty Clifton is now inhabited by a bunch of social ride softies ).
We rode back via (I think) Kirkby Misperton to Malton, then the low-level option over Kirkham. The railway crossing was closed for repairs (I can only assume that Iain M's mishap has finally prompted Network Rail into repairing it properly) but we dismounted and persuaded the workmen to allow us to carry our bikes over the line before remounting and clawing our way up the final climb of what had turned into a pretty challenging ride - for me at least!
By now it was growing dark but we made fair progress home via Bossall et al stopping only to restore a measure of clearance between Ginny's rear mudguard and tyre. Home saw 85 miles on the clock. Thanks to all for an excellent day out which will really serve to get the legs ready for the summer and those long days in the saddle up hill and down dale.
With Paul M on the front we swiftly proceeded through Haxby, Sheriff Hutton, Terrington Bank, Hovingham, Nunnington to Welburn. Here Paul turned round on his training loop, sparking hopes in the hearts of us mere mortals that we could enjoy a moderation in pace. Such hopes were soon dashed as the Lincoln contingent, Chris C and Howard took up the challenge. Fadmoor, Gillamore, Hutton-le Hole, Lastingham, Cropton were dispatched in short measure before a final loop around to arrive in Pickering - our cafe stop destination. By now we were down to 11 - Dave B having performed his familiar cameo appearance and Alex deciding that discretion was the wiser option - sensible chap! At the cafe 3 or 4 of the group set to repairing p*******s as the flint-strewn roads took their toll on our tyres.
The trouble with sitting in the warm and getting the chat going is that time speeds by. Our 2 guests had to return to York so having consumed nothing more fortifying than a cup of tea each they set off whilst the remainder of us stuffed ourselves and contemplated the route back (doubtless they will have tales of how the once-mighty Clifton is now inhabited by a bunch of social ride softies ).
We rode back via (I think) Kirkby Misperton to Malton, then the low-level option over Kirkham. The railway crossing was closed for repairs (I can only assume that Iain M's mishap has finally prompted Network Rail into repairing it properly) but we dismounted and persuaded the workmen to allow us to carry our bikes over the line before remounting and clawing our way up the final climb of what had turned into a pretty challenging ride - for me at least!
By now it was growing dark but we made fair progress home via Bossall et al stopping only to restore a measure of clearance between Ginny's rear mudguard and tyre. Home saw 85 miles on the clock. Thanks to all for an excellent day out which will really serve to get the legs ready for the summer and those long days in the saddle up hill and down dale.